Physical evidence in the form of digital photography compels an initial categorization of CE-II (close encounter of the second kind). Object appears to possesses cabin lights, a super-luminous undercarriage, and forward looking landing lights, giving it the appearance of a three-dimensional material ‘nuts-and-bolts’ craft in the shape of a tube or elongated rectangle. Video evidence is purported to exist in addition to numerous eyewitness accounts.* Following sighting, a ‘ground-stop’ of commercial air traffic, occurred for approximately 3 plus hours. A public statement was issued by media quoting an un-named source, “authorities had learned what the UFO was after an investigation… But it was not the proper time to publicly disclose the information because there was a military connection…” and it was further stated–an official explanation would be forthcoming.

Photo Analysis:

Ground level sighting, time-lapsed digital image, about 1.5 seconds worth of exposure, under a night-time, overcast sky, in the urban environment. Atmospheric haze reduces primary object resolution by approximately 45% making exact determination of object, difficult to impossible. Relative motion of central object is slow in comparison to commercial aviation aircraft; such as 757 or DC-9, although there is some impression given of a tubular or flattened rectangle suggesting cabin or navigation lights, and lighted undercarriage.

When you hear a thunderous roar coming from directly overhead it’s only natural to look up, isn’t it? Well, anyway, that’s what I did. At first all you could see was a gray-colored cloud all boiling like–churning in the sky. Thunder? The roaring just got louder and louder. An approaching Summer storm, perhaps? No, wait! What the…what is that? Something was beginning to emerge from within the cloud. Out loud I said, looks like an aircraft carrier, but [it] was inverted, and massive. I think I held my hands over my ears, or maybe just raised them over my head in astonishment–unbelievable–my eyes must be deceiving me. How does something that big just hang there? I’d seen big planes before–the Space Shuttle on it’s 747 transport–even seen the Antonov 225–it’s a big-bad-boy, but this–this was 10 times that size. They’re here! The hair on my arms was standing straight up, and my ears popped. That’s no typical airplane–it’s–must be a-l-i-e-n, Alien, I reasoned! Ya don’t see that every day.*

The aliens had gone public (we would later learn just how long they’d secretly been here), and in the days following the first landings, the World had gone ‘ape-shit’ with fear over the uncertainty of what might be coming next. The doomsday cultists ranted and raved; churches filled to overflowing, the militaries of the World were mobilized–poised ready to defend the Earth, but the bombs never fell, nor did death-rays burn the flesh from the bones of Mankind; instead, the lights stayed on, there was plenty of food and gas; they had, after all, come in peace, and with one simple message to the people of Earth. The Universe, the aliens would tell us; was teaming with life of all kinds; sentient, living breathing biological life; impossibilities of unimaginable strangeness, some nothing more than what you would call smoke, some large as planets, some were what you might call robots–yet alive just the same.

As the weeks following the alien revelation of their presence ticked by; the ant pile of frantic people quickly calmed down, and a media feeding frenzy of sorts settled in on the Aliens. At first, they were referred to as Invaders–later–Space Brothers by the press–and their amazing technology. WOW! Did they have tech; like we never dreamed of. It was along about that time that they became known as “Them.” Not that They were gonna share everything they knew with us–we still had some growing up ta do–given our penchant for wars and callus disregard for the Earth and all–oh, no! All, in due time.

Special representatives of the Human Race where invited to function as liaisons between Them and us. Selected by lottery, 144,000 women and men, representing all nations and races, joined the Alien Introduction Liaison And Education Program. I agreed to interact with (even travel to their planets (they had more than one)) with Them. Yeah, I saw that episode of the Twilight Zone, “To Serve Mankind” where the foolish trusting humans fall for the alien propaganda, only ta be duped into traveling back to their planet to be eaten. I know, I know–all my friends said don’t do it–it’s a trick. Never in my life had I ever won anything–all those Lotto tickets–and not a cent ta show for it. I figured–sometimes you just gotta say “what the heck.” The next thing I knew, I was in training to go…when we lifted off…the last time I’ll ever see my home star…time travel or was it inter-dimensional? Maybe both. I don’t know. Shit I’m just guy from…what do I know…mind-blowing…Feynman was right, all along…and the answer was: 4.2…All that Summer, the fires in the Gulf, burned…sort of like the holodeck on…Looking down I started to laugh ’cause I had realized this was the first time I had taken a leak on another planet…wait till they get a-lotta this…on the return journey…it’s true, they did wear a lot of black… You don’t say! …Who knew? …Something wonderful!

I had just had an all-expense-paid vacation to the most beautiful planetary system anyone could ever imagine; even learned ta speak Their language. Saw wondrous thing I’d never dreamt of, all that, and lived ta tell about it. Not bad I thought, for a guy with just a high school education. I felt mighty proud talking into one of those gizmos they gave me to record my reflections on Them. Heck, maybe I could even write a book some day–be on that radio show. With that guy–what’s his name? George Bell?

Mankind had grown up, maybe even been saved from self-destruction, by the knowledge that other creatures had survived their own technological developments; over came their urge towards violent behavior, and then come here; with love and peace in their hearts (actually, They have two of ’em–hearts, that is), to the little ol’ Earth; to tell us that if They could do it, so could we. I considered it a great privilege and honor to have been lucky enough to participate in the Evolution of Humanity. We had become, Us.

Travis isn’t paranoid are they–but the director of their video “Side” obviously is? In the video, which is reminiscent of The X-Files, ends with the band abducted by aliens out in the desert. The lyrics written by Fran Healy, to the Travis song Side in part go:

Well I believe there’s someone watching over you. They’re watching every single thing you say–they’ll set you down and take you through. You’ll realize one day that the grass is always greener on the other side. We all live under the same sky… There is no wrong, there is no right. The circle only has one side…